Game apparatus



1953 R. u. BRONSON 2,627,412

GAME APPARATUS 1 Filed July 20, 1951 I l //I I/ III I] III [4/ I I Y 60 Fig.3 2

Fig. 7 Robert 0. Bronson 1 Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS Robert U. Bronson, Eugene, Oreg.

Application July 20', 1951, Serial No. 237,692

2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to an improved game apparatus and more particularly to game apparatus adapted to be used in the home.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus comprised of an elongated playing surface divided into a plurality of playing zones upon which a plurality of pins are positionable, a top being provided for movement across the playing surface into the playing zones for Striking the pins, the number of pins being struck determining the score for the game participants.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a plurality of partition walls having openings formed therein providing gates whereby the top can move through the plurality ofzones for striking the pins positioned thereon.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of means whereby the playing surface can be adjustably inclined relative to the horizontal whereby the movement of the top relative to the playing surface can b controlled by the game participant.

Various other objects and advantages Will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best forms in which I have contemplated applying my invention are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire game apparatus showing one form of means for adjusting the inclination of the playing surface relative to the horizontal;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the game apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the top to be employed in combination with the game apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the pins to be employed in the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of game apparatus.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral l0 designates generally the first form of game apparatus while the numeral l2 designates generally the second form of game apparatus.

The game apparatus In is comprised of an elongated playing surface 14 having upstanding side walls I6 and I8 and end walls and 22 secured in upstanding relation thereto. The playing surface I4 is provided with a plurality of partition walls, 24, 26 and 28 dividing the playing surface into four main playing zones, the end zones being divided into a plurality of smaller playing zones by the partition walls 310, 32, 34 and 35. Each of the partition walls is provided with at least one opening therethrough providing a gate, as at 38. The central partition wall 26 is provided with an elongated opening while the partition walls 24 and 28 are provided with smaller openings 42 whereby access can be had to the zones behind the partition walls 24 and 28.

Each of the playing zones is provided with a preselected number of pins 44. Figure 6 shows one of the pins 44 in enlarged perspective view.

Looking now at Figure 4, it will be seen that the playing surface M has its end playing zones 46, 48 and 50 provided with indicia markings such as Jack, King and Queen. The indicia markings can be of various forms depending upon the manner in which the game is to be played, the form of indicia shown being merely for example only. Similarly, the positioning of the pin 44 can be as desired with indicia markings being provided on the playing surface l4 whereby uniformity of positioning can be provided.

The means for adjustably inclining the playing surface I 4 relative to the horizontal in the first form of the invention is best shown in Figures 1 through 3 as comprising a base 52 having upstanding side Walls 54 and 56 secured thereto at its side edges. The side walls 54 and 56 are each provided with elongated slots 58 and a s'him 60 is disposed on the base 52 for supporting the playing surface l4 relative to the base 52. The shim 50 is comprised of an elongated element having axial extensions 62 formed therewith and slidably received in the slots 58. It will thus be seen that when the shim BI] is; longitudinally moved relative to the base 52, the angular inclination of the playing surface M can be adjusted for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

In the second form of the invention, :as shown in Figure 7, the means for adjustably supporting the playing surface i4 relative to the base 52 is comprised of an elongated shim 64 of triangular cross-section. The shim 64 can be adjustably positioned relative to the length of the base 52 for adjusting the angular inclination of "the play- 3 ing surface I4. If desired, shims of various triangular cross-sections can be provided for substitution for the shim 64 to attain various inclinations.

Figure 5 shows the top 66 which is formed from an elongated rod 68 having a disk secured to its upper end as at H1. Adjacent the end wall 20, a top supporting plate 12, having a slot 14 formed therein, is fixedly secured thereto at the medial portion thereof. The end wall 20 is also provided with an enlarged opening 16 having a slot 18 providing communication between the opening 16 and the upper edge of the end wall 20. The rod 68 of the top is adapted to abut the plate 12 with a string wound therearound and extending out through the opening 16. With the playing surface M in its adjusted inclined position, the top can be conventionally actuated. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the top will pass through the various gates striking the pins, the number of pins struck and the particular pins being struck determinin the score of the game participant.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a device has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. In a game apparatus, the combination of an elongated game board disposed in an inclined plane and having a relatively low end and a relatively high end, the low end of said game board engaging a supporting surface and constituting a fulcrum, a pair of vertically disposed and relatively stationary side panels provided at opposite side edges of said game board, end portions of said side panels being provided with a pair of transversely aligned slots extending longitudinally of the side panels in a plane under the relatively high end portion of the game board, a horizontal bar extending transversely between said side panels and supportably engaging the underside of said game board, and a pair of trunnions provided at the ends of said bar and slidable in said slots toward and away from said fulcrum, whereby the inclination of the game board may be varied.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 together with a base plate disposed under said game board and having said side panels secured thereto, said base plate affording said supporting surface for said fulcrum.

ROBERT U. BRONSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 698,204 Lange Apr. 22, 1902 797,105 Graves Aug. 15, 1905 1,405,705 Ankener Feb. 7, 1922 1,479,673 Phelps Jan. 1, 1924 2,465,418 Baker Mar. 29, 1949 

